Powerball

WHY USE IT

Sometimes, an attacker needs a bit of brute force to break through. The support players have to react to keep the continuity going.

SET-UP

A 10m by 5m box, and then a 30m square with cones to set up channels.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: A ball carrier and a support player start at one end of a 10m x 5m box. A defender is at the other end. The ball carrier aims to make as much ground through the channel, before being tackled or driven out. The support player can help drive the ball carrier forward. Note how far the ball carrier travels and award points. Swap players around.

Development: Set up three lettered 5m ‘power boxes’. Put five attackers behind the boxes and two defenders in front, with two more defenders at the far corners. Call out which box the attack must advance through. One attacker takes the ball into the box and is not allowed to pass. If they do not make it to the far end, the ball is recycled and can be played from that ruck. Once the attackers are through the box, the two furthest defenders can move forward to join in. Play normal rugby.

COACHING POINTS

• Take on the defender by driving hard at their edges.
• Keep the ball away from the defender.
• Aim to win the collision contest before deciding how to use the ball.

ACTIVITY

1. The ball carrier makes as much progress as possible through the channel

2. They are not allowed to pass, but the support player can help the drive. The ball carrier stays on their feet as long as possible

3. Note how far they made it through the channel with full contact

DEVELOPMENT

1. Call out which 5m ‘power box’ the attack can go through

2. Two defenders patrol the outside of the boxes, with two stationed on the far corners

3. The ball carrier entering that box is not allowed to pass

1. If the ball carrier is stopped, the ball is recycled. In either case, the attack moves into the larger box, where the corner defenders move forward